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Breast cancer screening – 7 lives saved in every 1000

The risks and benefits of breast cancer screening are often debated but a series of recent European studies has concluded that breast screening can save the lives of between seven and nine women for every 1000 screened. It also found that the lives of two patients were saved for every one patient that might receive unnecessary treatment*.

In England, the Department of Health is reviewing the evidence around breast cancer screening, which started in 1988. The findings will be published later this year.